Child Bitten by Dog Inside Home Depot on Highland Ave in Salem, MA

Salem, MA (September 8, 2026) – A young child was bitten by a dog inside a Home Depot store on Highland Avenue Monday evening, September 7.

The attack happened shortly before 7 p.m. The child was bitten on the face and nose and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

There are no further details about the dog's owner or the circumstances that led to the attack. The child's current condition has not been made public.

Authorities continue the investigation. 

We hope for a full and speedy recovery for the injured child.

Dog Bite Liability Inside Retail Stores in Salem, MA

Massachusetts holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their animal causes, which means an owner can be held responsible for a bite regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before, as long as the injured person wasn't trespassing or provoking the animal. 

Retail stores that allow dogs on their premises may also share responsibility if store policy or a failure to intervene contributed to the attack, particularly if employees were aware the dog posed a risk and did nothing to separate it from customers. Facial and hand injuries are especially common in dog bite cases that involve children, since a child's height can put their face within reach of an animal that lunges or jumps.

Bite wounds to the face can require stitches, reconstructive treatment, or ongoing scar management, and young children may need specialized pediatric care to minimize long-term cosmetic effects. 

In these cases, a dog bite lawyer can help determine whether the dog had a prior bite history, whether the store's pet policy played a role, and how to pursue compensation through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance.

If your child was bitten by a dog in Massachusetts, our team at Fiorentino Legal, P.C. can help you understand what comes next. We can walk you through the options that may be open to you based on the details of your case and state law. 

Call Attorney Christopher Fiorentino of Fiorentino Legal, P.C., at (617) 990-2568 to talk through your family's situation and learn more.  

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fiorentino Legal, P.C. has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fiorentino Legal, P.C. so we can promptly review and update the content.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fiorentino Legal, P.C. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.